Transactional Model of Communication

The transactional model, unlike the linear, recognizes that communication is a simultaneous process and
therefore switched both the terms sender and receiver to communicator.
It also adds environment, which embraces not only physical location, but also personal experiences and
cultural backgrounds.
These changes can be seen in the model.

Another change you will notice in the transactional model is the overlap between each communicator. This
recognizes similarities between each communicators environment. The model displays how
communication becomes more difficult when communicators have less in common.
In addition, the transactional model recognizes how the type of channel can affect meaning. For example,
the words I love you have a much different meaning if they are said through a billboard than through a
voicemail.
In the linear model, noise is solely external noise; for example, loud music while trying to converse. The
transactional model says that two other types of noise exist:
Physiological Noise: biological factors that interfere with communication (i.e. illness, fatigue, etc.)
Psychological Noise: the forces within that interfere with communication (i.e. an unwillingness to listen)
Overall, the transactional model realizes that it is not what we do to each other as senders and receivers,
but it is what we do with each other as communicators.
Transactional model of communication is the exchange of messages between sender and receiver where
each take turns to send or receive messages. Here, both "sender" and "receiver" are known as
"communicators" and their role reverses each time in the communication process as both processes of
sending and receiving occurs at the same time.

The communicators can be humans or machines but humans are taken as communicators in this article to
analyze general communication between humans. The model is mostly used for interpersonal
communicationand is also called circular model of communication.

Transactional Model Concept & Example

Transactional model is the process of continuous change and transformation where every component is
changing such as the people, their environments and the medium used. Due to this, it assumes the
communicators to be independent and act any way they want. Since both sender and receiver are
necessary to keep the communication alive in transactional model, the communicators are also
interdependent to each other. For example, transactional communication is not possible if the receiver is
not listening to sender.
The transactional model is the most general model of communication. Everyday talk and interactions are
also a form of transactional model communication. It is more efficient for communicators with similar
environment and individual aspects. For instance, communication between people who know each other is
more efficient as they share same social system.
In transactional model, efficiency and reliability of communicated message also depends on the medium
used. For example, the same message might not be perceived by a person the same way when it is send
through a phone and when it is provided face to face. It is because of possible loss of message on a phone
call or absence of gestures.
Factors Affecting Transactional Model
There are many factors directly or indirectly affecting the communication process in transaction model.
These can be environmental noise or communication barriers. Environmental Noises can
be Physical noise, physiological noise or psychological noise.

Transactional model relates communication to social reality of an individual or a group of people in social,
cultural and relational contexts. Their responses cannot be predicted because they all have different
backgrounds and mental conditions. Communication pattern depends on various factors such as physical,

cultural, environmental, social, psychological, emotional, etc. Cultural systems, social systems and
relational situations are the most over-powering elements of the communication in transactional model,
while physical and psychological context has considerable effect on the communication, enhancing or
undermining it.

Social Context
Social context in communication refers to the norms, values, laws and other restrictions of a society to
communicate within a specific limit. It also includes rules that bind people's ability to communicate. Society
shapes the way a person communicates. Some of the examples are: greeting people when meeting,
thanking, apologizing, etc. People can also learn communication from trial and error method, and its
consequences ranges from social exclusion to embarrassment. This model also adds that it's not just social
reality that help people in the communication process but communication also shapes self and social reality
in return. Communication is not only for exchanging messages but also to create and establish relationship
helping people in the formation of a community.
Cultural Context
Cultural context is the lifestyle and identity of a person. Caste, class, race, ethnicity, gender, etc are the
contexts which promotes communication. If two people are from the same cultural group, they will have
better communication with each other. Cultural identities are made by communication. It changes the
communication pattern of a person. Marginalization of cultural groups oppress their communication with the
other parts of the society. People become unsure of themselves when they communicate with intercultural
groups. Some people also take it as unacceptable. People have a closed mindset about the other groups of
people they communicate with displaying the trait of Ethnocentrism. Experiences, attitudes, moods, cultural
beliefs, social up-bringing, mindset, their sense of reality and many other factors affect the responses and
the message exchange.
Relational Context
Relational context of communication relates to relationship history and manners. A person talks with an old
friend differently than a stranger. Manners take the role of communication when it is with strangers.
Manners come from pre-established norms and values, and are more scripted making interaction difficult.
Type of relationship and the roles of people create differences in the way people
communicate. Communication always occurs on the common systems of both the parties.

Criticisms of Transactional Model

Without verbal response, the sender can not be sure that the receiver got the message as
intended. Feedback is an important component in the communication process, especially in
interpersonal communication as it gives a space to clarify misunderstandings.

The transactional model gives the opportunity for a lot of noise because the communication is
simultaneous. For example, when many people are talking at the same time in a meeting, the objective
of the meeting will not be fulfilled.

Differences Between Transactional and Other Communication Models

Transactional Model

Other Models

Used for interpersonal

Used for Intrapersonal, interpersonal, group or mass

communication

communications.

Senders and Receivers are known

as Communicators, they
interchange their roles

Senders and receivers are different people

Includes the role of context and

Role of context and environment are not mentioned

environment

in other models

Includes noise and communication

barriers as factors

Not necessarily have the concept of noise

Talks about non-verbal

communication

Ignores non-verbal communication

Feedback comes later in interaction model and is

Simultaneous feedback

not included in linear model